Custom Fit Fifth Wheel
Now you can tow a fifth wheel trailer with a short bed pickup WITHOUT a slider hitch. AND it is now possible for pickup trucks with beds shorter than 6 feet (such as Ford Super Crews) to tow a fifth wheel trailer. You can use the clearance formula at the bottom of this page to see if a Sidewinder will work for you.
Note: It is not recommended to use a Sidewinder with a slider hitch.
When towing with a standard king pin, the fifth wheel trailer turns or pivots where the king pin is connected to the hitch. With the sidewinder, the truck and trailer are prevented from pivoting at the hitch. Instead the pivot point is located closer to the tailgate, creating much more space in between the truck cab and trailer on sharp turns. This extra space also becomes available for more cargo such as toolboxes which couldn't fit before. And the new pivot point makes the trailer track better behind the truck for even easier towing.
The Sidewinder is available in the Standard 16K, the heavy duty 19K, and the Fifth Airborne Sidewinder with Air-Ride in 16K. The Fifth Airborne Sidewinder allows you to get the benefits of both the Sidewinder and Fifth Airborne Air-Ride king pin. All move the pivot point 22" rearward.
Use the formula below to ensure there will be enough space between your truck cab and trailer when executing a 90-degree turn.
(A + B) - C = Clearance
A = Distance from center of fifth wheel hitch jaw to truck cab
B = Length of Sidewinder arm (16K = 22", 19K = 22")
C = Width of trailer divided by 2 (to get half)
For example: With the 16K arm, if the distance from the center of the hitch to the cab is 36", 36" + 22" = 58". If your fifth wheel trailer is 102" wide, take half (51"), then plug in: 58" - 51" = 7" of clearance.
NOTE: At least 4 inches of clearance is recommended to safely execute a 90 degree turn.
Air compressor (only on Fifth Airborne Sidewinder with Air-Ride) - the air bag in the king pin is adjustable and will need to be filled from time to time
The Fifth Gear Sidewinder and 5th Airborne Sidewinder are custom designed to replace the existing pinbox on your trailer. Use the tables below to help find the correct 5th Gear pinbox coupler for your application.
Note: Pinbox number will typically be located on a sticker or stamping on the OEM pinbox.
Excellent-fast service.Thank you!
Steve
Port Allegany, PA
What our customers are saying:
Excellent-fast service.Thank you!
Steve
Port Allegany, PA